Council makes it illegal to feed Canada geese

SAYREVILLE — In a continuing effort to prevent a growing group of feathered friends from taking over the borough, the Borough Council voted Monday to prohibit the feeding of waterfowl.

According to the ordinance that was unanimously approved, the feeding restriction is part of a goose control program resulting from "an excessive number of geese in the borough."

Because federal law prohibits hunting and killing waterfowl, such as the Canada geese so prominently found in the borough, the borough has sought other ways to control that population. According to the ordinance, the borough’s feeding restriction does comply with Fish and Wildlife Service regulations.

"No person shall feed, cause to be fed or provide food or other sustenance essential for growth or maintenance of, domestic or migratory waterfowl, including Canada geese, in the Borough of Sayreville," the ordinance states.

Furthermore, the ordinance states that "no person shall create or foster any condition, or allow any condition to exist or continue, which results in a congregation or congestion of domestic or migratory waterfowl."

According to the ordinance, the feeding restrictions will be posted on signs erected throughout the borough.

The mayor and Borough Council have determined that the large population of waterfowl, in particular Canada geese, "cause a public health nuisance by contaminating drinking water supplies, ponds, lakes, etc., and that to prevent such conduct that may attract and concentrate migratory and domestic waterfowl to properties in Sayreville, a no-feeding policy should be enacted," according to the approved ordinance.

In the past, the council has approved other methods to curb the Canada geese population, namely by hiring a company to addle the goose eggs. According to Council President Frank Makransky, the addling should begin in June.

Mayor Kennedy O’Brien said Monday that the council has also decided to purchase a "pooper-scooper" to help clean up the goose droppings that have plagued the borough’s parks.

Last summer, students from fourth-grade classes at Emma L. Arleth School came before the council to present solutions to the Canada geese population and the inevitable goose droppings. Using the Internet and the school and public libraries, the students researched geese and humane solutions that would keep them off park grounds and clean up their droppings.